Ssiat Hotteok–Inspired – Part of our Korean Comfort Food for One series
Not every comfort food moment needs to be a full meal. Sometimes it’s about something warm in your hands, slightly crisp on the outside, gooey in the middle, and sweet enough to feel like a treat without tipping into regret territory.
This Seed & Brown Sugar Pancake for One is inspired by Ssiat Hotteok, a popular Korean street food especially loved in Busan. Traditionally, it’s a chewy, fried pancake filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a generous mix of seeds and nuts. It’s indulgent, comforting, and often eaten standing on a cold street corner, trying not to burn your fingers while the filling threatens to escape.
For Plan4One, we keep the heart of the dish — the contrast of crisp dough and molten, nutty filling — but simplify the method so it works in a home kitchen, without deep frying or leftover dough hanging around. This is a single-serve, pan-cooked version using everyday supermarket ingredients, designed for solo cooks who want a proper comfort treat without committing to a full baking project. It fits neatly into the Plan4One philosophy: small effort, real enjoyment, no waste.
Meal Goals
✔ Comfort food without excess
✔ Single-serve sweet treat
✔ Healthy fats from seeds
✔ No deep frying, no leftovers
This is a dessert (or afternoon treat) that feels intentional — not an accidental raid of the snack cupboard.
Why This Dish Works for Solo Eaters
Sweet recipes are often written for crowds, leaving solo cooks with half-used ingredients and far too much temptation hanging around for days. This pancake:
- Makes exactly one serve
- Uses pantry staples
- Comes together in under 15 minutes
- Scratches the “something sweet” itch properly
It’s ideal for weekends, cold evenings, or anytime dinner finishes early and you want a little something extra.
Nutrition Snapshot (Approx.)
- Calories: 350–400 kcal
- Protein: 8–10g
- Fibre: Moderate
- Healthy fats: High (from seeds)
- Added sugar: Controlled, not excessive
It’s still a treat — just one with a bit more going for it.
Ingredients (Single Serve)
Pancake Dough
- ½ cup plain flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ⅓ cup warm water (approx.)
- 1 tsp neutral oil (plus extra for cooking)
Filling
- 1½ tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1½ tbsp mixed seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame)
- Optional: finely chopped walnuts or peanuts (1 tbsp)
Step-by-Step Instructions (Beginner Friendly)
1. Make the dough
In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add warm water gradually, stirring until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Knead gently for 1–2 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest for 5 minutes.
2. Prepare the filling
Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and seeds in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Shape the pancake
Flatten the dough into a disc in your palm. Place filling in the centre, then carefully pinch the edges together to seal. Gently flatten again into a thick pancake.
4. Cook
Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat with a little oil. Add pancake and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden and crisp.
5. Melt the middle
Lower the heat slightly and cook for another minute per side to ensure the filling melts properly without burning the outside.
Serve immediately — carefully.
How to Eat It (Also Important)
Let it rest for 30 seconds.
Then break it open slowly and accept that some filling will try to escape. That’s part of the experience.
Best enjoyed with:
- A cup of tea
- A coffee
- Or quietly at the kitchen bench, pretending you’re not already thinking about another one
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Best eaten fresh
- If needed, reheat in a dry pan for 1–2 minutes
- Not freezer-friendly — but it’s single-serve, so that’s fine
Easy Swaps & Variations
- Less sweet:
Reduce sugar slightly and add more seeds. - Extra indulgence:
Add a small square of dark chocolate to the filling. - Nut-free:
Use seeds only. - No cinnamon fan:
Skip it — sesame-forward flavour still works beautifully.
Why This Recipe Belongs in the Series
Korean comfort food isn’t only about soups and stews. Street food plays a huge role — warm, handheld, and designed to make people feel better quickly. This pancake captures that spirit in a way that’s realistic for home cooking and perfect for solo eaters.
It’s simple, satisfying, and just indulgent enough.
If you make this Seed & Brown Sugar Pancake for One, tell me how you tweak it.
More seeds? Less sugar? Chocolate surprise?
👉 Leave a comment, share it, or save it for your next cosy afternoon.
